To sign up for e-notification of library events, including the library’s monthly newsletter, CLICK HERE. Enter your first and last name, use the pull down Event Type menu to select your notification preferences, select Save and you’re done!

Wednesdays Will Be Even More Wonderful at The Urbana Free Library

You have told us that you want more TUFL in your lives, and we have heard you. Last month, lending limits were raised so you can check out more of the materials you want and keep them longer. Starting September 3, 2014, two great services will be expanded so you can get even more of what you want from your Library:

The Champaign County Historical Archives will be open every Wednesday from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Archives staff are eager to help you connect with your rich Champaign County history. As a FamilySearch affiliate library, we can also connect you with resources from across the country.

Story times for Toddlers aged 2 - 4 and their families will now occur every Wednesday from 10:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.. Early literacy is critical to your child’s successful, bright future, and from the giggles I hear and the happy faces I see, early literacy looks pretty fun, too!

And every day is Summer Reading Day in August. Adults told us that they wanted to participate in summer reading, too, so this year there are programs for everyone in all age groups. Check it out here.

I look forward to hearing what else you’d like “more of” at The Urbana Free Library.

The Urbana Free Library: Rich History – Bright Future

As we celebrate The Urbana Free Library’s 140th Birthday, we will feature each month a library department or support organization that has helped make the library into the community service it is today. What better place to start the story of the library than with the keeper of stories –the Champaign County Historical Archives.

The Friends of the Library Summer Book Sale

August 21 - 25 • Lewis Auditorium

You’re invited to join hundreds of fellow library supporters at one of the most anticipated events of the summer. Members of the Friends have access to a special preview on Thursday evening, August 21 (no electronic devices for scanning will be permitted on preview night).

Not a member yet? Use THIS LINK where you can register online or download a membership form. Each year, the Friends hold massive sales of great used books in April, August, and November. You can also browse a selection of gently used books year-round at The Urbana Free Library Cafe and Friends Book Shop. Proceeds from book sales and the book shop support the purchase of library materials and library programs.

As always, if the library has a team of volunteers to assist, items not purchased at the book sale will be boxed and shipped to Better World Books. If plans fall through and volunteers are not available, items not purchased at the spring book sale will be transferred to the Recycle Center at the University of Illinois.

National Teen Library Lock-in

Friday, August 1 • 6:30 - 10:30 p.m. • Lewis Auditorium

What do Michelle Gagnon, Claudia Gray, and Marissa Meyer all have in common? (Beyond being awesome authors!) They’ll all be visiting the library virtually during the National Teen Library Lock-In.On Friday, August 1, from 6:30-10:30 p.m. in the Lewis Auditorium, come join Amber and Joel, the teen librarians, at this late-night event! Since this program is after-hours, be sure to head around to the Elm Street entrance of the library across from Busey Bank. We’ll have signs up to help you find your way!

De-Mystifying Technology

Explore the building blocks of computer technologies and gain hands-on experiences at these fun and informative workshops. All workshops take place in the library’s Lewis Auditorium.

Saturday, August 2 ● 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.Ever wondered how a computer works? How networks work? Or what the difference is between hardware and software? Ever wish you knew how to set them up and adapt them to work best for you? Join us for this beginning level class to learn the basic ins and outs of computers.

Tuesday, August 5 ● 5:30 - 7:30 p.m.Thursday, August 7 ● 5:30 - 7:30 p.m.Want to learn more about topics covered during the Saturday workshop (even if you couldn’t make it Saturday)? Join us Tuesday and/or Thursday to sample the many different options for creative projects, such as 3D printing, video production, music recording, digital art with graphics tablets, sewing machines, and a vinyl cutter.

Sponsored by The Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunities (DCEO) Eliminate the Digital Divide program; The Center for Digital Inclusion, Graduate School of Library and Information Science, University of Illinois; in partnership with The Urbana Free Library.

Now Available—Two Ways to Download Free eBooks

Now you download free library eBooks and audiobooks to your own device using two different services – 3M Cloud Library and My Media Mall (from Overdrive). You’ll never get a late fee and you can do it from home (or anywhere you have an Internet connection).

My Media Mall (from Overdrive)My Media Mall offers thousands of eBooks and audiobooks for all ages that can be downloaded to your computer, eReader, tablet, smart phone, mp3 player or other device. Browse the collection through the My Media Mall website or get started with the easy-to-use Overdrive Media Console app. (Users of older Kindle eReaders or audiobook lovers will need to use this collection.)

3M Cloud LibraryYou’ll find 3M eBooks conveniently located in CU Catalog or by using the 3M Cloud Library app. This growing collection of bestselling fiction, non-fiction and Young Adult eBooks is easy to check out and can be read using the 3M Cloud Library app. (You can use your Kindle Fire with this collection.)

Both My Media Mall and 3M Cloud Library permit users to download five items and put seven more on hold.

Choose your own loan periods with My Media Mall or check out eBooks for two weeks with 3M Cloud Library. Titles automatically expire on their due date.

Questions? You can call Adult Services for help at 367-4405 or stop by the reference desk to find out more.

UFL Reads! Wild Card

Sunday, August 24 • 2:00 - 3:00 p.m.MacFarlane-Hood Reading Room

Enjoy a selection of old and new favorites, picked especially by fellow book club members.

This month, we will read and discuss My Beloved World, the memoir written by Sonia Sotomayor, the first Hispanic justice on the United States Supreme Court.

This revealing memoir covers her life as a young girl in a Puerto Rican neighborhood of the South Bronx up to the time when she first became a judge in the early 1990s. Now, looking back, she counts “the blessings that have made me who I am, taking care not to lose sight of them, or of my best self, as I move forward.”

UFL Reads! our book club for adults, meets the fourth Sunday of most months.